Located in the remote Phobjikha Valley, Gangtey Goenpa Lodge is your gateway to exploring the mysterious kingdom of Bhutan.

Why you’ll want to go: From the region’s unique culture to views of potato fields and wetlands and forested hills all around, a visit to Gangtey Goenpa takes you to experience the untouched natural environment of this secluded kingdom and witness for yourself the things that make Bhutan one of the happiest countries in Asia.

Rooms: The lodge’s 12 rooms all come with textured walls and dark wooden beams that take their inspiration from the valley’s sturdy farmhouses, with the added benefit of heated stone floors, freestanding bathtubs, and plush sofas.

Things you can do: At Gangtey Goenpa’s restaurant-cum-lounge, hearty dishes are served to guests refueling after a day of mountain biking, trekking through pine and rhododendron forests, or eyeballing the valley’s sacred black-necked cranes from a respectful distance. A hot-air balloon will also take guests to see a new perspective of the region from one of the world’s highest commercial balloon operations; Phobjikha Valley stands at about 3,000 meters above sea level.

For more information, visit Gangtey Goenpa Lodge.